Cinelli 2017 Range Launch Party

Cinelli 2017 Range Launch Party

Paul Horta-Hopkins

Cinelli launch their 2017 range at the Ubyk store in Brighton.

Cinelli, it’s one of ‘those’ brands. They’ve been around forever, they’re Italian and they’re classy. If like me, you’re of a certain vintage, then Cinelli was a must-have. My Campagnolo equipped, blue Colnago of course came with their 1A stem and Criterium handlebars. They’ve always been cool and are still with us, not bad for a company that started back in 1948. This November UByk Brighton will be hosting the launch of the 2017 Cinelli range.

For many an old roadie, this is a design classic.

It all started when Cino Cinelli, a former pro rider between the thirties and fourties, decided to retire. His palmares included three Giro d’Italia stages (1938, 1939), a Giro di Lombardia (1939), Milano-Sanremo (1943) as well as many other races. He went on to open a small factory manufacturing bike components and went on to do very well. In the eighties the firm was acquired by another Italian cycling legend, Columbus. Columbus produce tubing for bicycles and along with Cinelli, their products have been ridden to victory in pretty much every race there is.

The Cinelli brand now also became known for their frames and technical innovation. Amongst their claims to fame are the M71 pedal, the first clipless pedal. They also produced the first plastic bodied saddle and introduced the MTB to Italy. But most important to roadies, they brought cork bar tape to the market. Who hasn’t spent a happy hour getting their bar tape just right? And Spinaccis! Who can forget their brief domination of the market until the UCI banned them?

Deep red paint-job, steel tubing and that logo. It’s a Cinelli

With all this engineering innovation and history behind them, you might think Cinelli to be a rather staid, traditional brand? Far from it. They have always had a quirky approach to design, with some fantastic paint jobs combined with Columbus’s high-tech tubing. Check out the book, Cinelli: the Art and Design of the Bicycle to see some of their fantastic works.

Cinelli have always had a strong graphic design. Take a browse through their website and see

Representing Cinelli will be their Vice President and Head of Design Fabrizio Aghito. Being as it’s Brighton you will also get sound and visuals supplied by Bang & Olufsen. So whether you’re an old fan or a new convert, email the Ubyk store in Brighton for tickets. Ubyk Brighton will be hosting the Cinelli 2017 Range Launch Party from the 26th to the 27th November. On display will be clothing, books, artwork and accessories. A chance to bask in some glorious Italian cycling products being displayed in one of the UK’s top indepent bike shops, what better way to spend the weekend?